Bill Ritter, a longtime newscaster for WABC-TV/ABC7, will step down as host of “Eyewitness News” after being diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Ritter announced on Friday’s 6 p.m. news program that it would be his last. Since 2001, Ritter has been the anchor of the station’s 6 p.m. “Eyewitness News.”
“After a series of tests, the doctors told me I had Alzheimer’s disease,” Ritter said on Friday’s news program, according to WABC. “I’ve been told that this is ‘early stage’ Alzheimer’s disease, and that it’s under control with the treatments I’m on, for now. But there are no guarantees, because there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease yet. So unless someone finds a great cure, tonight will soon be the last news show I anchor.”
Ritter said he will continue to work for WABC/Eyewitness News, but will focus on health issues, including “the rising trend of Alzheimer’s disease and other similar diseases, how it is impacting patients and their families, how unaffordable the cost of treatment and patient care is, and how this country can begin to change that.”
The anchor has been with WABC since 1998. Prior to that, he worked for the Los Angeles Times, as well as stations KTTV and KCAL in Los Angeles, and KNSD in San Diego. He then moved to national broadcasting, anchoring “Good Morning America Sunday” and working on “20/20.”
At WABC, Ritter was named co-anchor of “Eyewitness News” at 11 p.m. in 1999 and joined the 6 p.m. He left the 11 p.m. slot last year.
In announcing his diagnosis, Ritter said he had lost his father to Alzheimer’s disease in 1998 and had been active in fighting the disease.
“Bill Ritter has been covering the most important stories and guiding New Yorkers for decades,” said WABC-TV General Manager Maril Galvez. “A definitive presence at ABC7, he does it with extraordinary insight, integrity, and most of all, heart, and has earned the love and respect of viewers and colleagues alike. Even though he is no longer a daily anchor, he has shared personal updates and shared personal updates with people living with Alzheimer’s disease. “Bill will continue to be an integral part of the ABC7 family, including providing resources to help people better understand this disease and the resources available to them. Bill is strong, smart, and resourceful, and we look forward to his continued coverage.” ”
Ritter’s full farewell statement, via WABC, is below.
Last year I turned 75 and decided it was time to lose some weight. Years went by and I stopped anchoring the 11 o’clock news, and then I stopped anchoring the 5 o’clock news. My goal was to spend more time with my family. A year ago, thanks to my eldest daughter, I became a grandfather, and this summer, thanks to my son, my second grandchild will be born. My youngest daughter will be graduating from high school in a year, and now that my life has changed, it’s even more important to spend more time with my family.
After a series of tests, the doctor told me I had Alzheimer’s disease. This is “early stage” Alzheimer’s disease, and they say the treatments I’m receiving are keeping it at bay. For now. However, there are no guarantees, as there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. So unless someone discovers an amazing cure, tonight (Friday) will soon be the last news show I anchor.
This is not an easy thing to say to my viewers and to the people I work with, including my producers and my friend Zahir Sachedina, who I have worked with for 25 and a half years. We’re a Muslim producer and a Jewish anchor, and I think we’re the longest-running behind-the-scenes newscast team ever, and probably anywhere, for 25 and a half years. That’s the melting pot of New York and the Tri-State, and that’s what I hope this country is.
For 23 of those years, I remained next to my wonderful partner and friend, Liz Cho. We are the longest running team in Channel 7’s history. And with Lee Goldberg, the best meteorologist in the country and my best friend, we set new records for Eyewitness News for 20 years.
And as we’ve seen the last few weeks, our extremely talented sportscaster, Ryan Field, makes me laugh every day and loves to make me laugh almost every day. And for 14 years, he sat with me on the 11 o’clock news, and then on the 5 o’clock news, I sat next to the wonderful Sade Baderinwa. We remain the longest-running 11 o’clock team at Eyewitness News.
I would also like to say “Thank you” to my boss at WABC. They treated me and my family with compassion, humanity, and love.
As for my family, my kids say, “Dad, you’re so brave in all of this.” But no, it’s not me who is brave, it’s them. So does my wife Kathleen.
Now, what shall we do now? Well, I’ll continue with my work. This is ABC 7. I will continue to support young journalists here at Eyewitness News. Well, I’m 76 years old now. So for me, everyone in the newsroom is younger than me.
I also intend to remain a journalist here at Eyewitness News. Therefore, you will continue to see me on air and online. One reason? Because the station wants to dig deeper into the growing trend of Alzheimer’s disease and other similar diseases, including how it’s impacting patients and their families, how the cost of treatment and patient care is becoming unaffordable, and how this country can begin to change that.
I’m not familiar with this disease. My father passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in June 1998. Since then, I have been actively involved in efforts to stop Alzheimer’s disease and will continue to do so with my friend Mike Maza, who appeared on Eyewitness News in my place last year when I was 5 and 11 years old. Mike’s grandfather passed away from the disease, and together we have hosted many Alzheimer’s disease awareness events to help spread the word.
I will be very sad to report the news to you. The truth and the facts, no matter where they lead. It was an honor to do so. For now, let’s pray for everyone’s health and peace, and take care of each other.
